Delhi HC issues notice on BJP MLAs' petition for CAG reports to LG
Oct 29, 2024
New Delhi [India], October 29 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice on a petition filed by Delhi BJP MLAs, seeking direction that the Delhi government send the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the Lieutenant Governor. The MLAs stated that these reports are essential for the LG to present before the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
The bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula, after hearing the submissions, sought responses from the Government of NCT Delhi, the Ministry of Finance, the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor, and others. The matter is scheduled for a detailed hearing on December 9, 2024.
A plea moved by Delhi BJP MLAs alleged that 12 CAG reports were not placed before the Lt. Governor by the Ministry of Finance, GNCTD.
On 30.08.2024, one of the petitioners Vijender Gupta who is the Leader of the Opposition sent a communication to the President of India alongwith a copy to all the opposition leaders, requesting her immediate attention to the suppression of the reports of the CAG in violation of the constitutional mechanism.
It is highlighted in the said communication, that as of August 2024, 11 reports of the CAG are pending with the Finance Minister namely Ms Atishi. It is also underscored that despite the Lt. Governor's repeated requests and constitutional obligation, these reports were not sent to the Lt. Governor and consequently, could not be tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
This deliberate suppression of vital information not only violates democratic principles but also prevents proper scrutiny of government action and expenditures, raising serious questions about the government's financial proprietary, transparency and accountability.
All Delhi BJP MLA Vijender Gupta, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Legislative Assembly along with other BJP MLAs including Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Kumar Bajpai and Jitendra Mahajan seeking averred that the Delhi government has failed to send 12 CAG reports relating to liquor, pollution, finance etc from 2017-2018 to 2021-2022 to the LG.
In the past, the BJP MLAs have approached the Chief Minister/Finance Minister, Chief Secretary, and the Speaker about it but no action has been taken to date. BJP MLAs have also protested about it outside the residence of Atishi in this regard. The Petition was filed by Advocates Neeraj and Satya Ranjan Swain.
The opposition leaders have been continuously demanding a special session for discussion and deliberation on the suppressed reports of the CAG. But no action has been taken to date. As per the information available in the public, the Office of the CAG has been forwarding the Audit reports of the state finances and performance on various sectors related to governance in Delhi, stated the plea.
